The "Dumb-ing" down of America - Texas style. And other social catastrophes.

Updated on February 15, 2015

Getting an "Education" without learning anything at all

Source

Lost in Texas. Missing in Washington. Reward offered for finding one.

a "functioning" human brain | Source

Attacks on U.S. educational system

Blatant attacks are being made on our educational system in the U.S.

It is called "The dumbing down of America" - Texas style

Yes, we are truly lost to being ruled by the irrational, the powerful, and the self serving few who run this country.. Their goal: keep the public uninformed.

The less educated we are the more easily we can be manipulated. The majority will be slaves to the minority once again, and Democracy is on its way out.

Some major changes we can all look forward to if the GOP takes control of our government at any time in the future. Truly scary stuff:

Education (or lack of it) in the United States has always been one of my pet peeves. Now the conservative faction in this country is going too far, even by their narrow minded standards. Since we are not allowed to copy articles verbatim on hub pages, the best i can do is provide a link for your perusal approval (or hopefully your disapproval) just below my ranting.

This article was born from the recent news about Texas changing our American history.

And it started with this email exchange between myself and my niece who is a recently retired school teacher and shares my concerns through first hand knowledge of how our educational system has deteriorated to nothing more than conservative/religious indoctrination by the radical right wing.

On July 6, 2012 (d.william) wrote:Subject: MESSING WITH AMERICAN HISTORY BY THE GOP. If you don't get these mailings, this one is worth reading. See where our country is going and who is driving it there. Read and weep. It is very hard to understand how this country has gone down the tubes this fast by ignorance and the 'conservative' party. These are crimes against humanity, sanity and our future generations.

When I started teaching in 1970, I could order from among THOUSANDS of textbook publishers. When I retired in 2010 the number is down to about a half dozen mega publishers all fed by Texas. This article does a good job of distilling the textbook prong of the propaganda war that has raged unabated against freedoms in America. This article should be headlines in major newspapers across the country--oh, but wait, they can't operate under freedom of the press anymore either. ugh.

This is the new GOP party that hopes to control America and alter all policies, restore religion to public offices, force Christianity down the throats of all Americans, and rebuild America in their own warped views of history and how American people should (or must by law) act and behave in every aspect of their lives.

These are the very people that accuse the current administration of trying to "brainwash" American college students toward liberalism.

Odd, how history tends to repeat itself, over and over, and still we, as a people, seem to learn nothing in the process. the current trend seems to be to enslave people again and getting too close to reality for comfort.

There are many religion indoctrinated writers on hub pages that attack anyone who does not agree with their biased opinions. Basing logic, and fact, on ancient texts are one of the most grossly "uneducated" acts that any society can inflict onto itself.

Creating morality laws to suit those writing ranters of the first few centuries in our history is nuts (sorry, i meant illogical) by any halfway intelligent standards.

Now this one is worth reading. That good old GOP mentality at work again. And someone said it just could not get any worse. I certainly would be ashamed to admit being a Texan in today's world.

by: d.william 07/07/2012

This is an updated comment on education in the USA - Interesting read.

The War Against Teachers as Public Intellectuals in Dark TimesIf the United States is to prevent its slide into a deeply violent and anti-democratic state, it will, among other things, be required fundamentally to rethink not merely the relationship between education and democracy, but also the very nature of t

Comments 29 comments

Okay, I'm back. Well, it doesn't stop there, as you are mainly talking about the decline of Americans in a cognitive fashion, as this thing also branches off toward physical degradation, as well.

I once read an article entitled "America: Too Fat to Fight," which spoke about the poor condition of military enlistees, and I recently read about how basic training requirements have been lowered to cater to these, oh, how should I put it nicely, uh, "out of shape people."

Put all the problems in the blender and lets make a milk shake, as the Milky Way galaxy is really shaking its milk, at the moment...

Thanks for reading and your disapproving comments as well. I really can not tell what your thoughts truly are, as you skirted around the bush and actually said nothing.

I would guess that your disapproval was at the assertion that the GOP is the brunt of my dismay at this moment.

Well i can assure you that was my intent. The intended destruction of America by the GOP is well documented by their own actions. The dumbing down of America starts in Texas and will be the format for every other state if the GOP has its way.

Insane Mundane 4 years ago from Earth

I said a lot, saying that it is not just the mind that has declined, but also the body; don't jump the gun, as I'm actually a nice guy, no matter what they say. Ha!

rickylicea 4 years ago

That is quite worrying. I'm sure many reasonable people would be republicans, if it weren't for all this religion nonsense.

About the population, I think the prevailing view of the Christian right is anti-abortion, and against condoms, and other methods that prevent births.

That's why the women from fox news was arguing against the prophet of doom.

The CFR is bipartisan, so its not just Republicans, I mean you have Hillary Clinton on the video.

Theophanes 4 years ago from New England

I'm afraid these issues are going to have to be dealt with at a grassroots level. Our public schools were based on indoctrination (copied from various European schools made for military indoctrination.) So they've never really been great... now they're going deeper into the shitter the only thing we can do is make our own children go to alternative schools. I know if I ever have kids I'll be scraping every last penny up to either home school or put them in some other progressive critical thinking-based school.

Austinstar 4 years ago from Somewhere in the universe

I'm not ashamed to be a Texan, but I was truly f*&^ked by G.W. Bush just like the rest of the country. I will never consider G.W. to be a Texan, nor any other Republican. Texas was democratic way before it even became a U.S. State and after the Repubs moved here, they proceeded to ruin everything.

I find it extremely funny that the right wingers are going to have to choose between a black man and a Mormon in November. WTF? It's driving them crazy, LOL. I will vote Democratic as usual and I think Obama is doing a decent job. He has had to clean up a disaster of world wide proportions!

This country was almost completely ruined by rich spoiled republicans during the G.W. years and so many people fail to see that. Uhg.

Thanks for reading and taking time to leave a comment. Individual republicans are not bad people, it is their blind devotion to their party that concerns me (as does the overly zealousness of any member of any cult or organization that adversely effects the lives of others). Refusing to see what the GOP now stands for (corporate america in lieu of the people themselves)is a great concern and can have a great unwanted impact on future generations who will undoubtedly have a difficult time undoing what this generation is doing to harm society in general.

The new christian right (the radical moral majority) has a twisted agenda to force everyone into their cult and conform to their indoctrinated beliefs, and represent far more adverse effects on society than merely abortion and birth control. They are looking to set equal rights back thousands of years into the dark ages of our history.

This article was not simply to bash the republican party, it was meant to show how many organizations are involved in the radicalization of our society that will affect us on a global scale.

I am a registered republican, though at times ashamed to admit, and i would like to think one that is open minded and aware of these radical ideas and their negative impacts on future generations, and their attempts to stop progression, reverse civil rights, destroy equal rights, and force children to be indoctrinated into their fantasy world religious cults.

Thanks for reading and commenting. Unfortunately, and sadly so, you are correct that these issues will need to be dealt with on a grassroots level, as our politicians now represent the business world instead of the people themselves.

There is (was) nothing wrong with public schools as they taught basic "reading, writing, and arithmetic". The problem was that they did not (do not) teach basic skills in survival in the real world: government and how it works, the world of finance, how small business are started and how they develop and grow, abstract thinking, ethics, true history (not the twisted versions now being forced on them by the conservative factions), and more...

I do agree that home schooling by properly trained adults might have some merit, but the danger in that is the differences in educational levels of the parents are a major factor in how the child develops - whether or not they become an asset to society or a negative influence. Radical parents teach their children to be the same; Religiously indoctrinated parents teach their children to be the same; and so on.

We have become a world of brainwashed individuals who perpetuate their own biases, hatred and intolerance, instead of positive aspects of an open minded, good hearted, and tolerant human being that can bring love and positiveness unto this world.

Thanks for reading and commenting. It is truly refreshing to hear from an enlightened, aware and informed Texan for a change. I was beginning to think ALL Texans were the same. You have given me some new hope for Texas after all.

I had to laugh about your statement that the right is in a total dilemma in having to choose between a Mormon and a black man. At last, someone actually said this out loud. We already know what we have currently in the white house and it actually has improved the lives of thousands of American citizens.

Although, i find the moral majority quite distasteful, i find the Mormom cult even more radically offensive. Especially when they have this code of ethics that says: 'Lying to each other is wrong, but lying to strangers (or non mormoms) is perfectly O.K.'.

You are a brave individual to be so verbal and live in Texas. Be safe.

It does seem that while the the Middle East "3rd world countries" try so desperately to fight oppression to gain democracy - that these so called "civilized countries" are desperately fighting to attain what the middle east is trying to get rid of. We are actually turning into those '3rd world' countries. A total reversal of roles. The irony is almost comical.

MobyWho 4 years ago from Burlington VT

On this Sunday morning's CNN show, Fareed Zakaria interviewed several leaders from around the world, including one from Libya who made a statement that, at first, sounded ridiculous. As I thought about it though, it became more and more logical: the world is changing in all areas except the U.S. The Middle East has overturned despots; Asia has slowly had a change of heart (2 kids now in China; N Korea becoming "social" - etc.) All those countries are producing engineers, scientists, artists, thinkers while our young face bankrupt school districts; poor leadership and a 'clean the blackboard' mentality. Where has the joy of learning gone?

It was a startling statement...and bears repetition. Fareed is one of the more unbiased TV talk show hosts I've found.

I must agree with you. Fareed is one of my favorites. He tells it like it is and has no biases toward either side. Sadly enough it has been common knowledge that America is rapidly deteriorating to the status of 3rd world, for quite some time now. Politicians refuse to believe it, or address it, and they do the same about climate changes, and global pollution because that is necessary to continue with corporate control of our economy.

Our politicians today no longer echo the will of the people, they echo the will of Corporate America and those who put the most money in their palms.

There is much shame and disgust with American politics, not only in this country, but around the world. Corporate America and their henchmen have no concern about the welfare of this country or the hardships they impose on the people, as long as the cash flow keeps coming into their bank accounts.

I do believe this destroying of America is not by accident and people will not wake up until they wake up to no clean drinking water, no jobs, food prices out of reach for everyone except the wealthy, etc.... Not until the hardship is real for everyone will people sit up and take notice. Up until now the majority of Americans simply turn a blind eye, and say, oh, well it really does not affect me, so why should i care.

When this comes to pass the great American Rebellion can begin in earnest, just like the rest of the 3rd world countries. Perhaps then true democracy can spread around the globe. It certainly is not starting from the USA./

d.william 4 years ago from Somewhere in the south Author

I wanted to share the discussion i had with my niece regarding this subject:

D:

This is in response to your questions:

Query: How can equality not be fair? Would equal rights not be fair?

Fairness does not equate to equality. What is fair for the wealthy is not equal. What's fair for the poor is also fair for the wealthy.

Enlighten me. I am an open receptacle for knowledge and insight. Filleth my cup with your wisdom.

-------------

We are in the 28% tax bracket, a millionaire in the same bracket is paying 28% (theoretically speaking)--28% of our income does not equal 28% of a million. We are "equal" but is it "fair" to take that much from those who earn barely enough to be classified as "middle class?" So, looking at taxes, taking a "fair share" would not be an equal per cent rate.

In heterogeneous class rooms such as one I had in my tenure at _______(expository writing), the reading levels ranged from grade 3, yes, grade 3, to above first year college--I literally had the smartest and the slowest students in the sophomore class. I subdivided the work SIX, (that would be SIX) ways so that "equal" would be "fair"--it is called "differentiation"--a way to allegedly deliver the same work to different ability levels in the same classroom--but it is humanly unsustainable to expect one person (that would be the teacher) to perform the amount of individualization required in an endless stream of "monitor and adjust" every thing you do. It is NOT fair because you can only teach to the MIDDLE--which means the top and the bottom make no gains--or few--is that fair? And in case you think for one minute it is a pleasure to be the bottom tier in those settings, guess again. Just a stark reminder each day of how limited you are. In a classroom with your academic peers, you can get more and more thorough instruction, and same for the top kids who are held back--bottom always sucks top down.

In classes such as some literature, social studies, health, etc. heterogeneous works well because it is not strictly academic content driven.

What I have described above is exactly what the woman in the video was talking about. Allow ALL students the "same" chance in the same classroom and voila--they all feel soooo empowered and inspired they will soar, and those already flying will glide ever higher and lift the others up.

They who made that mandate are the very ones the video woman identified as setting national policy - and you can see how insidious it really is. and on and on.

I could write a whole volume on the subject, but it is too exhausting and I fought the policy makers for 40 years and lost.

P.

MobyWho 4 years ago from Burlington VT

In some classrooms (at least in the '60s) the most disadvantaged are the very smart ones. In grammar school, my daughter spent at least 1/4 of the day in the back of the room doing "busy work" - drawing pictures. When I asked her what her teachers said about a certain drawing (our gerbils mating) she said, "Oh they don't look at my work." Story of her life. She had a book published recently: "Shovelhead Redemption" a tough message for parents of 'exceptional students' (I have a hubpage on it -

I clicked on the link you provided and the page that says: "This page does not exist" keeps popping up, so i will have to go poking through your stuff until i find it. L.O.L.

Or, did hub pages make you take it off for violations?

MobyWho 4 years ago from Burlington VT

Thanks for pointing that out. I see the link was not completed. I tried three times to get the whole word "Redemption" included, but it wouldn't "take". Who Me? Violate? I'm devastated...(tee hee). Hope you like the book - it really was a great voyage. It's only too bad her father didn't live to enjoy the prize.

AlexK2009 4 years ago from Edinburgh, Scotland

The url had a smiley on the end. It works without the smiley

MobyWho 4 years ago from Burlington VT

these computers are SO fussy! Thanks, Alex K, but I guess I can't fix it because the comments aren't in my control - I thought it was because HP didn't want me to go off-topic. I'll try again:

Well, guess I'm definitely the odd man out here by your definition. I'm a Texan, an independent and a Christian. I am not uneducated, stupid, uninformed and in fact am quite proud of my state. I also am not attacking anyone for any reason. I do have opinions on politics, religion and social problems in this country but you've made it quite clear your mind is made up and those that disagree with you are ignorant. That said -- count me among the ignorant! Best/Sis

Thank you for reading and commenting. Sorry for the delay in responding, i don't do too much H.P. any more.

I believe you when you say your are all that you are. However, my "opinions" are not 'opinions' at all - they are based on facts. If you take the time to click on the links provided you will see that these comments are based on the unfortunate reality of things.

Texas has become the focal point of deciding how, and what, educational programs are used in every other state. There are many people like you that do not participate in that process, but that does not diminish your intelligence or goodness of heart. Unfortunately those in charge of Texas (politicians) are not the brightest bulbs in the box, along with other states like Mo., North and South Carolina, Wisc., Tenn., and others that have been taken over by the Tea Party Fanatics. Your governor certainly is NO model of what true education is.

I am also proud of the state of Florida where i reside, but certainly have NO pride in the level of idiocy in the State government when we have a governor that is mentally unstable, self serving, and a history of being convicted for stealing billions of dollars from medicare .

So the gist of this article was NOT to abase the wonderful people of Texas, but those who make rules that reflect their ignorance, and to promote their own version of what is proper for ALL Americans.

Our government is broken, not only in Washington, but most of the states as well.

People like Romney and his cohorts are using the old premise of "divide and conquer" to take over this country and reshape it into what ever Corporate America wants it to be - and that ain't good by any standards.

jackclee lm 16 months ago from Yorktown NY

d.william - I agee with your premise that America is being dumb downed on purpose but disagree with you on who is doing it. If you examine our current state of the electorate, what is it that they are lacking in order to make a good decision on voting? The answer is civics, and unbiased news on current events. Who controls the vast conduit of information? The public education system and the main street media. Our education system is controlled by the Teacher's Union and by Liberal professors on college campuses (90%). They do not teach what is necessary to preserve our republic. The news media is biased towards the Democrats and Liberal agenda. They will slant the news to benefit democrats and slam Republicans. I am a conservative and I don't support either party but I see the bias and I don't like it. I for one is trying to educate the next generation. If you check some of my hubs, I have done just that. When some of our young people don't know what the 4th of July is celebrating, we have a huge problem. It is not the people trying to stop an out of control government.

d.william 16 months ago from Somewhere in the south Author

jackclee:

thank you for your comments. The selection of educational material in U.S. schools is determined by a board in Texas. When we have a small group of conservative people making those decisions one can not blame our faulty educational system on liberals, democrats, or the media.

Rick Perry passed a law in Texas that banned the teaching of critical thinking in lower schools.

We have other states where the 'conservative' leaders are banning books that teach evolution, and have managed to sneak 'intelligent design' into the class rooms again to 'counter' the evil influences of "scientists" who advocate evolution of man theories. One state went as far as to destroy anatomy books that teach and show pictures of human reproductive processes. Condemning them as evil in nature.

We can banter back and forth about which side of the isle is the most responsible for the deterioration of education in this country, but that serves no purpose. Both sides of the political isle are to blame for not working together to correct the problems that face us every day. Education should be the number one priority in this country. We are 47th (a few years ago) in educational ranking amongst other world countries. This is appalling.

Our country must be progressive in nature in order to move intelligently forward in the future. In Florida it is being made public about the scandal surrounding Charter Schools. These schools (endorsed by the GOP) have given billions of dollars that went into the pockets of the owners and sacrificed the critical educational tools need to improve the children's minds. Studies have shown that the majority of "public" schools are doing better than the charter schools. It is all about corporate profits in this country that is dragging us down in our race to the bottom.

jackclee lm 16 months ago from Yorktown NY

d.william - I was not addressing the state of Texas Education per se but in general. If you look at the state of public education in the inner cities, they are dominated by liberal thinkers and the Teacher's union who does not want to try anything to solve the "problem" but only request more money. Charter school has done well in places where they were tried as in selected districts in NYC and Washington DC. Guess who put a stop to that?

Why must the country be progressive? why not conservative? who cares if the problem is solved. I care about results and not ideology.

d.william 16 months ago from Somewhere in the south Author

jackclee

In general:

Progressive means moving forward

Conservative means moving backwards or remaining stagnant

You state: "who cares if the problem is solved" ?

Solving problems that benefit mankind should be the priority for everyone.

The deliberate denial of education to people in general is the conservative view to maintain control over people through ignorance and fear.

As with any other institution there are good and there are bad components to them.

Your comments on unions is inconsistent with the facts. While unions promote better working conditions, and better pay, for their members they also advocate better considerations for those they minister to within the institutions they represent.

I am not quite sure what you are implying by your question "Guess who put a stop to that?"

Your questions and comments against those awful "liberals" are taken directly from the Fox News network's talking heads.

My article was to inform about the deliberate dumbing down of Americans and why. If "liberals" had their way there would be free education beyond high school.

The lower grades require consistency in teaching basics to children. Basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and promote science as opposed to superstition about the origins of man.

High school curriculum should include such things as economics, how government works, ethics, biology, philosophy, and history as it really happened.

Without these basic essentials being taught to all children there is too much room for misinformation and lack of adequate preparation to face the world of reality after graduation.

This country has deteriorated into a state of ignorance, name calling, and pointing fingers of blame instead of everyone trying to reach some consensus on what is appropriate or not.